Japanese Polished Diamond Imports Up 12% in May

Japanese imports of polished diamonds rose 11.7 percent to $101.375 million in May of this year, bringing in 224,811 carats of the gem. In volume, this is an increase of 7.2 percent. India continues to be the main supplier for Japanese diamond buyers.

India was the source of 65.3 percent of goods in weight, 146,850 carats, and 41.7 percent of goods in value - $42.23 million, according to the Jewelry Trade Center, Japan (JTC).

Other major suppliers to the Japanese market are Belgium, with $24.544 million worth of goods, followed by Israel with $15.57 million worth of goods.

The average price per carat during the month was $451.

During the January-May period, Japan imported 1,102,455 carats worth $491 million, decreasing 3.7 percent in volume while increasing 3.9 percent in value.